The Committee on Labour and Social Affairs 2 “Labour and social affairs – these words stand for policy areas which are important to everyone, such as pensions, labour market policy, support for the unemployed, and the inclusion of people with dis- abilities. Our social security sys- tems, from unemployment benefit to pensions, must be developed further and made fit for the future. The world of work is changing, and trade unions, employers and policy- makers are shaping it. We must en- sure that everyone has the opportu- nity to participate in society. This Committee’s work is of great impor- tance for all generations.” Dr Matthias Bartke, SPD Chairman of the Committee on Labour and Social Affairs 3 The German Bundestag’s decisions are prepared by its committees, which are estab- lished at the start of each elec- toral term. Four of them are stipulated by the Basic Law, the German constitution: the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Defence Committee, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union and the Petitions Committee. The Budget Committee and the Committee for the Rules of Procedure are also required by law. The spheres of respon- sibility of the committees essentially reflect the Federal Government’s distribution of ministerial portfolios. This enables Parliament to scruti- nise the government’s work effectively. The Bundestag committees The German Bundestag sets political priorities of its own by establishing additional committees for specific sub- jects, such as sport, cultural affairs or tourism. In addition, special bodies such as parlia- mentary advisory councils, The committees discuss and committees of inquiry or deliberate on items referred study commissions can also to them by the plenary. They be established. The commit- also have the right to take up tees are composed of mem- issues on their own initiative, bers of all the parliamentary allowing them to set priorities groups, reflecting the balance in the parliamentary debate. of these groups in the German When necessary, they draw Bundestag. The distribution on external expertise – usu- of the chairs and deputy ally by holding public hear- chairs among the parliamen- ings. At the end of a commit- tary groups also reflects their tee’s deliberations, a majority relative strengths in the ple- of its members adopt a recom- nary. In the current electoral mendation for a decision and term, the committees have a report, which serve as the between nine and 49 mem- basis for the plenary’s deci- bers. sion. 5 Pensions policy, labour mar- ket policy, meeting future needs for skilled labour, and ensuring that everyone can participate in society – these are among the subjects dis- cussed by the 46 members of the Committee on Labour and Social Affairs, chaired by Matthias Bartke (SPD). A large number of motions and bills on these issues are examined by the Committee. The topics it deals with range from pen- sions to labour market policy, from support for the unem- ployed to benefits for asylum seekers. In addition, the Com- mittee engages with a large number of initiatives which seek to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to ensure the equal participa- tion of people with disabili- ties. The Committee on Labour and Social Affairs The main element of the Com- mittee’s work is its considera- The Committee has a heavy tion of bills and motions for workload, as the policy field which it has been designated of labour and social affairs the lead committee by the ple- represents the biggest area nary of the German Bundestag. of spending in the federal In these cases, it has the task budget, at roughly 140 billion of recommending what deci- euros in 2018 – around 40 per sion the plenary should take. cent of the total budget. The Then there are other items relevant government depart- where the Committee is asked ment is the Federal Ministry to submit an opinion to the of Labour and Social Affairs, lead committee. The Rules headed by Hubertus Heil of Procedure also allow the (SPD). The Ministry’s work is Committee’s members to take supported and monitored by up issues falling within its the Committee members, for remit on their own initiative. example when new pension To this end, the Committee regulations are adopted, when can, for example, request a labour market policy instru- report from the Federal Gov- ments are overhauled, or ernment with the aim of iden- when it comes to strengthen- tifying developments in soci- ing the concept of inclusion ety at an early stage. These in disability policy. reports are the subject of 16 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CDU/CSU 10 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ SPD 6 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ AfD 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FDP 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The Left Party 4 ■ ■ ■ ■ Alliance 90/The Greens Number of members: 46 Chairman: Dr Matthias Bartke, SPD Deputy Chairman: Matthias W. Birkwald, The Left Party 7 Regulations on social policy or labour market policy affect millions of people, with the result that policy-makers face high expectations. The Com- mittee therefore draws on intensive discussion in the external expertise when for- Committee, and can result mulating recommendations, in it submitting recommenda- especially on contentious and tions and calls for action to complex subjects. When it the Federal Government. comes to pension reforms, the In addition, the Committee battle to reduce poverty in old ensures parliamentary scru- age, part-time work for older tiny of the government’s work workers, protection against by putting questions to mem- dismissal, health and safety bers of the Federal Govern- at work and issues relating to ment. In general, a representa- statutory accident insurance, tive of the Federal Ministry or the situation of people with of Labour and Social Affairs disabilities, the Committee attends the Committee’s meet- consults and holds public ings, usually a Parliamentary hearings of experts from aca- State Secretary. That said, the demia, interest groups and Federal Minister can be asked other institutions. Above all, to attend a Committee meet- the aim is to ensure that the ing in person, or may choose voices of those affected are to attend to present initiatives heard. These hearings are from his portfolio himself. almost always public. 8 Items of business relating to European affairs are becoming ever more important in the Committee’s deliberations. This is partly because the European Union helps to shape the labour and social standards of its Member States, and partly because there are political calls for social issues to be given a greater role in EU policy. The Committee members therefore request regular reports from the Federal Government so that they can influence EU decisions at an early stage. The “preview of European policy initiatives in the field of labour and social affairs” is one of the regular items on the Committee’s agenda. 9 Pensions, the minimum wage and basic income support – the Committee’s work in practice After all, changes to social leg- islation have a major impact Social policy initiatives are on the lives of many people. subject to close public atten- One example is the future of tion. Basic income support the statutory pension. The for jobseekers or new develop- questions examined by the ments in the labour market Committee in this context regularly make headlines and include how long workers are inspire strong feelings. The required – and are able – to deliberations in the Commit- work, how high contribution tee on Labour and Social rates will be in future and Affairs take place at a decisive how much money people will phase in the legislative pro- receive from the statutory cess. This is where the plena- pension. Then there are issues ry’s decisions to pass or reject such as the need for continu- a law are prepared. ing training and rehabilitation Over the course of an electo- for a growing number of older ral term, hundreds of bills, workers. Other priorities in motions and interpellations the Committee’s deliberations are referred to the Committee. in this electoral term are They are joined by reports likely to relate to labour law – from the Federal Government with a right for part-time and items relating to public workers to return to full-time hearings. Each item of busi- work – and enforcement of ness requires intensive prepa- the minimum wage. The par- ration and a great deal of liamentarians are also grap- expert knowledge. pling with the challenges 10 For example, the Committee’s members discuss issues relat- ing to the posting of workers in the European Union. What standards have to be safe- guarded, what protection posed by the digital transfor- do workers need, and what mation of the working world requirements are set by (Work 4.0). In addition, the employers? Should there be Committee is responsible for a European Labour Authority issues such as unemployment to ensure better coordination benefit, basic income support in future? The question of for jobseekers and social assis- how to make progress towards tance – and for the question of achieving the aim of equal how policy-makers can help pay for men and women is unemployed people returning also among the many issues to the labour market. In this on the Committee’s agenda. context, the development of Social-security agreements a social labour market for the with other countries also have long-term unemployed has to be transposed into national been announced. Finally, the law. The Committee’s work European Union’s labour and affects everyone, whether social standards are also the young or old, in work or retired, subject of numerous items of male or female, self-employed business for the Committee. or unemployed. 11 12 13 Matthias W. Birkwald, The Left Party Deputy Chairman, The Left Party spokes- Dr Matthias Bartke, man on the Committee, SPD The Left Party spokes- Chairman man on labour and Lawyer, former senior social affairs civil servant, Social scientist, b.